AP Art & Design: 2-D, 3-D & Drawing: A86a & A86 b
Prerequisites: Levels 1 & 2 of any consecutive fine art courses.
Course Overview
    “AP Art & Design: Drawing, 2-D Design, or 3-D Design” is a two semester course that focuses on producing a large number of quality works that demonstrate mastery of fundamental artistic concepts which provide an intensive study of the process of creating artwork using both traditional, fine, and digital art media. Students will choose to work in works in Drawing, 2-D Design, or 3-D Design for their submissions.  In their works, students will investigate a sustained concentration that allows for integration of media and processes, while promoting experimentation and revision of inquiry.  Projects will be structured around the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. In these projects, students will need to use their knowledge of technique and materials to communicate through their art.  Students will be encouraged to use critical thinking skills, while also developing their own voices as visual artists while being presented with problems that require unconventional and imaginative solutions.
Through this process students will develop mastery in concept, composition, and execution of their personal artistic vision. This fast paced course requires the student to be highly motivated and interested in the serious study of art, which may lead to college credit. Motivation, imagination and commitment are required to succeed in the course.
AP Art & Design provides the opportunity for the visually inclined students to excel, receive recognition and possibly earn college credits.  It allows students to compare their work with other high school students throughout the nation, and helps them prepare an excellent portfolio for a career or study at the college level.  All students enrolling in the course are expected to submit an AP Portfolio. 
Resources include images, student and teacher examples, drawing /painting books, art magazines, art reproductions, films, and the AP Central website http://apcentral.collegeboard.com. Students will be given written criteria for each project with specific requirements. 
 Course Standards: Based on Boulder Valley, Colorado and National Visual Art Standards 9-12
 1.Observe and Learn to Comprehend:  The visual arts are a means for expression, communication and meaning making. 2. Envision and Critique to Reflect:  Visual arts recognize, articulate, and implement critical thinking through the synthesis, evaluation and analysis of visual information. 3. Invent and Discover to Create:  Generate works of art that employ unique ideas, feelings, and values using different media, technologies. 4. Relate and Connect to Transfer: Recognize, articulate, and validate the value of the visual arts to lifelong learning and the human experience. Complete documents can be found at www.bvsd.org under curriculum, visual arts. Course Objectives: Studio Work
Students will be expected to:
Demonstrate an understanding and mastery of multiple art mediums, skills, and
   techniques Apply the elements and principles of art through careful planning, creativity, and excellent craftsmanship Develop art related concepts and skills that are meaningful in terms of personal, societal, and cultural importance Solve formal and technical problems in studio art practice Produce works of art that exhibit creativity and sensitivity through individual exploration Express ideas in visual (art production), oral (group & individual critique sessions) and written (artist’s statements, journal entries, and reaction papers) forms of how art -making is an ongoing process Create original works of art and cultivate ideas that solve challenging visual art problems using skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation Focus on creating a concentration, or a body of work that shows a commitment to an idea that shows continuous growth. Maintain a good work ethic through self-discipline and continual practice. Analyze works of art in terms of history, aesthetics, and culture and use these as springboards for the creation of their own work. Reflect analytically and critique works to gain understanding of one’s own work and the work of others Complete all sections required for final portfolio review: quality, breadth, concentration with a written concentration statement Assemble presentation of AP portfolio to the College Board for evaluation.